Basay:Negros Oriental Police are set to file complaints against three men who were arrested in Basay, Negros Oriental, for allegedly transporting PHP3.09 million worth of smuggled cigarettes. The suspects are currently held in police custody in Basay, according to an official statement.

According to Philippines News agency, Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, mentioned that the suspects will face charges for purported violations of Republic Act 10643, the Graphic Health Warnings Law, and Republic Act 10863, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The complaints will be submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) rather than in court, as the seized contraband's total value does not meet the PHP10 million threshold.

Authorities have identified the suspects by their aliases—Lom, 25, the driver; Joe, 41; and Ben, 40—all residents of Barangay Pook, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental. They were apprehended at Sitio Lintob, Barangay Nagbo-alao, in Basay on November 1 during a joint operation that resulted in the seizure of 54 master cases of suspected smuggled Bosque cigarettes.

The operation was initiated based on intelligence information provided by the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region regarding the alleged transport of smuggled cigarettes in a blue truck. The vehicle was reportedly conveying the tobacco products from Barangay Nagbalaye in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, to Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.

The joint operation included various police units at the municipal, provincial, and regional levels, as well as personnel from the Bureau of Customs.